Key points:
- Around 80% of participants backed the casino complex proposal in a recent public hearing
- The plan aims to legalise casinos within entertainment complexes by 2025
- Some have raised issues around addiction risks and lack of proper planning
Thailand’s plan to bring casinos into the country as part of large entertainment complexes has received a strong level of public support, with about 80% of people saying they agreed with the idea during a recent public consultation run by the Finance Ministry.
The hearing, which took place between 28 February and 14 March, drew feedback from over 70,000 people.
The Government hopes the move will help tackle illegal gambling, boost tourism and investment, and increase tax revenue. There is also talk of making access easier for local players, though nothing is final yet.
However, opposition groups and academics have pointed out the risks – like potential rises in gambling addiction and worries that big corporations might be the ones seeing the most benefit.
Some also say the Government is rushing ahead without a proper feasibility study, which leaves a lot of unanswered questions around how many casinos would be allowed, how much tax the state could actually expect, or how it would compete with neighbours like Singapore and the Philippines.
The matter is currently being debated in parliament (24–25 March), and critics are not holding back. There have been references to problems seen in other countries – Macau being cited for money laundering and the Philippines facing issues with crime around its gaming venues.
That said, supporters point to the economic success seen in nearby countries, with Singapore’s integrated resorts bringing in investment, jobs and tourists.
